A complete entertainer, that’s how we can describe the first T20I but it is Windies who have taken a 1-0 lead in the series. Still, two more games to go. The second one will be played on the 5th of March and it begins at 1800 local (2200 GMT). Do join us then. For now, it is goodbye from our side.
West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard is named Player of the Match. He says that you want your senior guys to look after the younger ones. Tells that Sinclair did the job nicely at the start. On the six sixes in the over, Pollard says that he understood how the wicket is behaving and it was needed for him to play his shots. Adds that he didn't see the two wickets that fell but backed himself to go. Says once he connected the first six, he told himself to go for it.
Earlier in the game, West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl. The bowlers delivered for them as all the 6 bowlers used by Pollard got at least 1 wicket to their name. Apart from Dickwell and debutant Nissanka, none of the Lankan batters could do anything worth noticing with the willow. McCoy with 2 wickets was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts. Others around him kept things tight too. Eventually, the Lankans fell quite a few runs short.
Then there was another twist as Hasaranga took two in two. Holder then provided a chance that was not taken by Bandara. Had that been taken, the result could have well been different but after that, both Bravo and Holder played with a lot of responsibility and took their side over the line.
What a second essay that was! Wow! In the end, it is an easy win for the Windies but there some nervous moments for them. It began brilliantly as Lewis and Simmons got them off to a flier. However, Akila then got Lanka back into the game with a hat-trick. Pollard after that smashed six sixes in Akila's next.
WEST INDIES
134/6 (13.1)
38 (11)
29* (24)
3/12 (4)
3/62 (4)
Over 14
6
Jason Holder*
29 (24)
Dwayne Bravo
4 (17)
Nuwan Pradeep
0/6 (0.1)
WI
134/6
6
13.1
Nuwan Pradeep to Jason Holder ,SIX! Holder finishes it off in style! This is a hit-me delivery from Pradeep. Full and on middle, Holder lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie. WINDIES WIN BY 4 WICKETS!
Pradeep is on!
Over 13
1
0
0
1
0
0
Dwayne Bravo*
4 (17)
Jason Holder
23 (23)
Ashen Bandara
0/2 (1)
WI
128/6
0
12.6
Ashen Bandara to Dwayne Bravo ,On off, this is pushed to mid off. A good over by Bandara.
0
12.5
Ashen Bandara to Dwayne Bravo ,Shorter and on middle, Bravo shapes up to pull but the ball turns way. He defends it.
1
12.4
Ashen Bandara to Jason Holder ,On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.
0
12.3
Ashen Bandara to Jason Holder ,Flighted ball on off, Holder pushes it to covers.
0
12.2
Ashen Bandara to Jason Holder ,Tossed up on middle, defended.
1
12.1
Ashen Bandara to Dwayne Bravo ,Down the leg side, it is swept down to fine leg for one.
Over 12
0
1
1
wd
0
4
0
Jason Holder*
22 (20)
Dwayne Bravo
3 (14)
Dushmantha Chameera
0/29 (3)
WI
126/6
0
11.6
Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder ,A sharp short one, Holder is beaten by pace as he tries to pull.
4
11.5
Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder ,FOUR! Superb shot by Holder! Just the biggie away now. Length and outside off, this is stroked on the up through covers for a boundary.
0
11.4
Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder ,Back of a length and on off, Holder defends it.